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EASA Air Operations Regulations 965/2012

March 2017

Annex VIII (Part-SPO) Specialised Operations

(All Commercial & Non-Commercial Complex a/c)

&

Annex VII (Part-NCO) NCO.SPEC

(Non-Commercial, other-than complex)

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Contents

What is a Specialised Operation?

European Regulatory structure

What does this mean for you?

Who is affected?

Annex VIII (Part-SPO)

Annexes applicable to Specialised Operations

Definitions

High risk SPO

Annex III (Part-ORO)

Annex VII (Part-NCO)

Subpart E NCO.SPEC

List of Specialised operations

Criteria for specialised operations

What does this mean for you?

Questions?

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What is Specialised Operations (SPO)?

‘Specialised Operations’ means any operation other than commercial air

transport where the aircraft is used for specialised activities such as:

agriculture, construction, photography, surveying, observation and patrol,

aerial advertisement.

This covers much of what used to be called aerial work.

Some activities may be deemed to be ‘High Risk’, particularly to third

parties, and be subject to prior authorisation.

Note: More examples of SPO activities and classification criteria can be found in the

Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material in Annex VIII (Part-SPO) of the

Air Operations Regulations

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EASA Regulations

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National Aviation AuthoritiesImplement EU law

Oversee organisations

Receive DeclarationsIssue most certificates, approvals,

authorisations and licencesConduct ramp inspections

European

Commission

European

Aviation Safety

Agency

Industry

The European Union Aviation Safety System

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European Aviation Regulations

Rule hierarchy and responsible organisations

Certification Specifications, Acceptable Means of Compliance, Guidance Material

(EASA)

Implementing Rules

(European Commission)

EASA Basic Regulation including Essential Requirements

(European Council and Parliament)

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Examples of an Essential Requirement (ER)

Basic Regulation (European Commission) No 216/2008

Example:

Annex IV of Basic Regulation 5.a

Essential Requirements (ER)

An aircraft must be equipped with all navigation, communication and

other equipment necessary for the intended flight……..

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Examples of an Implementing Rule (IR)

Implementing Regulation (IR)

SPO.IDE.A.210 Headset

Aeroplanes shall be equipped with a headset with a boom

microphone or equivalent for each flight crew member……

EASA Air Operations Regulations

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Examples of an Acceptable Means of

Compliance (AMC)

AMC1 SPO.IDE.A.210 Headset

GENERAL

A headset consists of a communication device that

includes two earphones to receive and a microphone to

transmit audio signals to the aeroplane’s communication

system. To comply with the minimum performance

requirements……..

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Example of Guidance Material (GM)

GM1 SPO.IDE.A.210 Headset

GENERAL

The term ‘headset’ includes any aviation helmet

incorporating headphones and microphone worn by a flight

crew member.

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How do I ensure compliance?

There are Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) and

Guidance Material (GM) to help you comply.

Alternative Means of Compliance (AltMoc) may be used by

complex or commercial SPO operators, subject to them meeting

the intent of the rule and being advised to the CAA under any

Declaration.

NCO Operators may use alternative means of compliance

without advising the CAA but the operator is responsible for

ensuring it meets the intent of the IR.

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Who is affected by SPO?

Commercial and non-commercial SPO operators using complex aircraft

Operators conducting commercial SPO with other-than complex aircraft

Operators conducting non-commercial specialised operations may comply

with Part-NCO and NCO.SPEC

Notes:

Regulations are applicable regardless of aircraft State of Registry

Rules have been in place since 1 July 2014 but become applicable from:

21 April 2017

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What does this mean for you?

The Regulations are structured differently to previous National Rules.

If you need to comply with Part-SPO you will need to make a Declaration to the CAA.

You may need to comply with more than one Annex of the Air Ops regulations e.g. Annex VIII, Annex III (Part-ORO) and V (Part-SPA).

Part-SPO and Part-NCO contain detailed:

• Operating rules,

• Performance, and

• Equipment requirements with which you must comply.

Part-NCO and NCO.SPEC cover non-commercial operations with other-than complex motor-powered aircraft.

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Annex VIII Part-SPO

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Regulation 965/2012 Air Operations - Rule Structure

Part-ARO: Authority Requirements Operations

Part-ORO: Organisation Requirements Operations

Part-CAT: Commercial Air Transport operations

Part-SPA: Operations requiring Specific Approvals

Part-NCC: Non-commercial operations with complex

motor-powered aircraft

Part-NCO: Non-commercial operations with other-than-

complex motor-powered aircraft

Part-SPO: Specialised Operations

Cover Regulation

Air Operations

Annex I

Definitions

Annex II

Part-ARO

Annex III

Part-ORO

Annex IV

Part-CAT

Annex V

Part-SPA

Annex VI

Part-NCC

Annex VII

Part-NCO

Annex VIII

Part-SPO

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Annexes applicable to Specialised Operations

Cover

Regulation

Air Operations

Annex I

Definitions

Annex II

Part-ARO

Annex III

Part-ORO

Annex IV

Part-CAT

Annex V

Part-SPA

Annex VI

Part-NCC

Annex VII

Part-NCO

Annex VIII

Part-SPO

Part-ARO: Authority Requirements Operations

Part-ORO: Organisation Requirements Operations

Part-CAT: Commercial Air Transport operations

Part-SPA: Operations requiring Specific Approvals

Part-NCC: Non-commercial operations with complex

motor-powered aircraft

Part-NCO: Non-commercial operations with other-than

complex motor-powered aircraft , including NCO.SPEC

Part-SPO: Specialised Operations

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Annex VIII (Part-SPO)

In order to comply with Part-SPO you will need to establish:

Standard operating procedures (SOP)

Aerodrome operating minima

Departure and approach procedures

Noise abatement procedures

Flight preparation (Flight Planning)

Safety briefing

In-flight fuel management

Use of oxygen

Ground proximity detection

Airborne collision avoidance system (ACAS II)

For more information please refer to: CAP1452 Specialised Operations

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Definitions

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Definitions

What is a commercial operation?

‘Commercial operation’ shall mean any operation of an aircraft, in return for

remuneration or other valuable consideration, which is available to the

public or, when not made available to the public, which is performed under

a contract between an operator and a customer, where the latter has no

control over the operator.

What is an operator?

‘Operator’ shall mean any legal or natural person, operating or proposing to

operate one or more aircraft or one or more aerodromes.

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How do I determine who the operator is?

To determine who the operator is you should consider who is

responsible for functions such as:

Making sure the pilots are licensed, trained and hold the correct

ratings

Making sure the aircraft is insured

Making sure flight planning is undertaken

Ensuring the aircraft is airworthy/maintained and properly equipped

in accordance with the operating rules

Writing and updating the Operations Manual (if applicable)

Applying for approvals (Dangerous goods, Low Visibility

Operations etc.) and therefore, in whose name is the approval

given

Maintaining records, submitting MORs

Who is responsible for delivering those functions where, in the

rules, it says 'an operator shall...'

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What is a complex motor-powered aircraft?

An aeroplane:

With a maximum certificated take-off mass exceeding 5,700kg, or

Certificated for a maximum passenger seating configuration of more than nineteen, or

Certificated for operation with a minimum crew of at least two pilots, or

Equipped with (a) turbojet engine(s) or

Equipped with more than one turboprop engine and exceeding 5,700kg

A helicopter certificated:

For a maximum take-off mass exceeding 3,175kg, or

For a maximum passenger seating configuration of more than nine, or

For operation with a minimum crew of at least two pilots, or

A tilt rotor aircraft

Definitions

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Definitions

What is a Task Specialist?

‘Task Specialist’ a person assigned by the operator or a third party, or acting as an undertaking, who performs tasks on the ground directly associated with a specialised task or performs specialised tasks on board or from the aircraft

GM14 Annex I Definitions – Task specialists

For the purpose of this Regulation, persons that are carried in a specialised

operation, e.g. on a parachute flight, sensational flight or scientific research

flight, are considered to be task specialists.

NOTE: EASA Air Operations Article 5:-

(7) Flights taking place immediately before, during or immediately after specialised operations and directly connected to those operations shall be operated in accordance with paragraphs 3, 4 and 6 as applicable. Except for crew members, persons other than those indispensable to the mission shall not be carried on board.

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Definitions

What is High Risk SPO?

‘High Risk commercial specialised operation’ is any commercial

specialised aircraft operation carried out over an area where the

safety of third parties on the ground is likely to be endangered in

the event of an emergency, or, as determined by the competent

authority of the place where the operation is conducted, any

commercial specialised aircraft operation that, due to its specific

nature and the local environment in which it is conducted, poses

a high risk, in particular to third parties on the ground.

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High Risk SPO

Affects commercial specialised operations only

The operator requires an Authorisation to conduct High Risk SPO (prior to

conducting the activity) Ref. ORO.SPO.110

ANO 2016 and SERA requirements for 3rd party protection are also relevant e.g.

an exemption from SERA.5005 f(2), <500’, would still be required if applicable to

the flight.

A list of High Risk activities has been developed by each NAA alongside an

authorisation process, details of high risk activities can be found on the SPO

website. These include (not exhaustive and subject to change):

underslung loads

helicopter external loads and

construction work flights, including stringing power line operations and

clearing saw operations

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Annex III Part-ORO

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Air Operations – Annex III Part-ORO

Applicability:

Organisation requirements for:

CAT operators

NCC operators

SPO operators conducting:

Commercial SPO operations with any

aircraft

Non-commercial SPO operations with

complex aircraft

Cover

Regulation

Air Operations

Annex I

Definitions

Annex II

Part-ARO

Annex III

Part-ORO

Annex IV

Part-CAT

Annex V

Part-SPA

Annex VI

Part-NCC

Annex VII

Part-NCO

Annex VIII

Part-SPO

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Specialised Operations - Operator requirements

This annex is only applicable if you are conducting commercial SPO

This Annex establishes requirements to be followed by an air operator conducting:

(a) commercial air transport operations (CAT);

(b) commercial specialised operations;

(c) non-commercial operations with complex motor-powered aircraft;

(d) non-commercial specialised operations with complex motor-powered aircraft.

Annex III (Part-ORO)

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Part-ORO.DEC

Compliance with Part-ORO requires a declaration to be made to the

CAA

Intent of the Declaration is to:

ensure that the operator has acknowledged its responsibilities under

the applicable safety regulations and that it holds all necessary specific

approvals

inform the competent authority of the existence of any operator

required to comply with Part-SPO

enable the competent authority to fulfil its oversight responsibilities

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ORO.SPO

Includes:

Common requirements for commercial specialised operations

Includes the following :

Management, supervision and training of personnel

Continuing airworthiness

Adequacy of facilities

Documentation

Leasing arrangements

Authorisation of High Risk commercial specialised operations

Changes to High Risk Authorisations

Continued validity of High Risk Authorisations

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Annex VII Part-NCO

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Air Operations – Annex VII Part-NCO

Applicability

Technical rules for:

Non-commercial operations of

other-than complex motor-

powered aircraft including

sailplanes and balloons

Regulation

Air Operations

Annex I

Definitions

Annex II

Part-ARO

Part-III

Part-ORO

Annex IV

Part-CAT

Annex V

Part-SPA

Annex VI

Part-NCC

Annex VII

Part-NCO

Annex VIII

Part-SPO

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Specialised Operations – Non-commercial other-

than complex aircraft

Specialised Operations by operators conducting non-commercial

activities with other-than complex motor-powered aircraft

Annex VII (Part-NCO)

Subpart E (NCO.SPEC)

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Part-NCO Subpart E NCO.SPEC

This is a subset of Part-SPO with a lighter touch for non-commercial specialised

operations.

It applies to any specialised activity in other-than complex motor-powered EASA

aircraft, including but not limited to:

Helicopter external sling loads

Human external cargo

Parachute operations

Aerobatic flights

Compliance with all the appropriate elements of Part-NCO are still required.

Some elements of the ANO and SERA continue to apply to all UK registered

aircraft and other aircraft operating within the UK.

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Part-NCO Subpart E - NCO.SPEC

If the activity does fall within the scope of a non-commercial SPO the PIC shall comply with all the assigned requirements. These include (not exhaustive):

conducting a risk assessment

using a checklist based on the risk assessment

Crew duties shall be specified in the checklist.

The task specialists duties shall be specified in the checklist.

Safety briefing

(a) Before take-off, the pilot-in-command shall brief task specialists on:

o (1) emergency equipment and procedures;

o (2) operational procedures associated with the specialised task before each flight or series of flights.

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LIST OF SPECIALISED OPERATIONS 1

(a) Specialised operations include the following activities:

(1) helicopter external loads operations;

(2) helicopter survey operations;

(3) human external cargo operations;

(4) parachute operations and skydiving;

(5) agricultural flights;

(6) aerial photography flights;

(7) glider towing;

(8) aerial advertising flights;

(9) calibration flights;

(10) construction work flights, including stringing power line

operations, clearing saw operations;

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LIST OF SPECIALISED OPERATIONS 2

(11) oil spill work;

(12) avalanche mining operations;

(13) survey operations, including aerial mapping operations, pollution control activity;

(14) news media flights, television and movie flights;

(15) special events flights, including such as flying display, competition flights;

(16) aerobatic flights;

(17) animal herding and rescue flights and veterinary dropping flights;

(18) maritime funeral operations;

(19) scientific research flights (other than those under Annex II of Regulation 216/2008); and

(20) cloud seeding.

(b) For other operations, the pilot-in-command can apply the criteria specified in AMC1 NCO.SPEC.100 to determine whether an activity falls within the scope of specialised operations.

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Criteria

CRITERIA

The operators should consider the following criteria to determine whether

an activity falls within the scope of specialised operations:

(a) the aircraft is flown close to the surface to fulfil the mission;

(b) abnormal manoeuvres are performed;

(c) special equipment is necessary to fulfil the mission and which

affects the manoeuvrability of the aircraft;

(d) substances are released from the aircraft during the flight where

these substances are either harmful or affect the manoeuvrability of

the aircraft;

(e) external loads or goods are lifted or towed; or

(f) persons enter or leave the aircraft during flight.

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Are abnormal manoeuvres to be

performed?

Photograph courtesy of J Wickenden

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Will the aircraft be flown close to the

ground in order to fulfil the mission?

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Will persons enter or leave the aircraft

during flight?

Photograph courtesy of Philip Jones

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What does this mean for you?

Non-commercial SPO with other-than complex motor-powered

aircraft may be conducted in accordance with Annex VII Part-

NCO.

NCO.SPEC provides specific requirements for specialised

operations in such aircraft.

AMC to NCO.SPEC.100

Provides guidance on how to determine whether an activity is a

specialised operation.

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Are my Operating Rules Part.SPO or NCO.SPEC?

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Please send any questions on specialised operations to: SPOWorkshop@caa.co.ukVisit our SPO website and take a look at CAP1452 Part-SPO Presentations